The hope and folly of the Gang of Sixty - Conventional Wisdom on Power-Center Politics

Recent initiatives by Senators Lindsay Graham and Dick Durban to lead the “Gang of Six” bi-partisan efforts to craft comprehensive legislation for immigration and other areas of interest, and now to grow this into a true coalition of 25-plus senators, and possibly a full blown “Gang of Sixty” caucus during this pause in the government shutdown showdown would seem doomed to failure by all forms of “conventional wisdom.”

But here is a postulate: The interplay of the many shades of CW as it has evolved in our current Public Sphere Conversation is a fundamental ingredient in the nasty and truly dangerous polarization that dominates the realm of public policy and political action.

Tune into the many outlets giving voice to viewpoints on happenings in the news-stream, and hear the deeply held, and wildly opposing convictions of what just “obviously makes sense,” who is “obviously crazy” and who is “clearly to be trusted” - the only agreement from these extremes are that much the same language is used - each “side” using similar words of CW about totally opposite believes and logic systems.

So where do we go from here? Can a real caucus of the middle emerge? Is there any hope that a powerful center-based alignment for comprehensive and broad ranged accomplishment succeed?

The real questions are how can this very current example of just such an initiative in the U.S. Senate be applied to similarly stalled and stalemated efforts throughout the nation? How can lessons of history, of evidence-based models of past such emergences be used to further this opportunity? How can language of true action evolve from what is, in reality, the current language of seeming action from one side or another, but is actually, one of inaction, in terms of meaningful, comprehensive results over a wide range of important interests.?

This flowering of a political center, however fleeting, in which just a very few venture away from the extremes at first, then a few more, and so on - each doing so based on an inherent understanding, an inner voice, and instinct that continuing along the existing course is, itself, the one of certain doom.

The positive challenge here is to that next level of leaders of our sphere of happenings, those sharing both the suspicions and skills to venture towards the center - those already with the knowledge and temperament to trust models for comprehensive and broad-based success - and with the skills to help a coalition to evolve to bring them about.

Such leaders already understand the fleeting nature of the opportunity to avoid certain peril, of the historic need to seize on any such intrinsic alignment of fragility and strength - such are the fundamental elements of all such emergences - and offer and commit their own true purpose as fellow element.

January 20, 2018

Never met but moments ago, now moved by forces and spirits beyond their norm - and they especially note and delight - “look at our inner circle my love - they stand on guard, vigilant - and very comforting….”

He leans against her again - bold, yes, but seemingly perfectly right, normal, natural - again, other forces are at work - “this whole episode is so bizarre, isn’t it? Some kind of explosion at the terminal, for sure, but look at the crazy reactions - except for us right here”

The two of them, so calm on the bench in the midst of mayhem, they look back at their guardians - so this strangely wonderful circle of kin seems - pure sensory taking over, a buzz, life-force surrounding and elevating them - the handful who on impulse - the very same as moved them to this lovely rise - normally the best of the best - a place of peace and beauty within this mixing realm of the very same nature - as most of the others now trapped others erupt in a kind of rage - at once frightening and full fear - from their perspective this new clan on the rise gets all aspects of what is happening - and on further impulse reaches for ever more - surrounded and seemingly overwhelmed, they do not sense that - rather they are filled with an elevating life force emanating from their very alignment…

An even deeper quiet settles with them - they are so far from alone - in fact, their sense of vital close company grows - they exchange unspoken notes of connection - something, or someone, or untold many ones are guiding them, energizing them, emboldening them - silent is their carol, deafening and blinding missives are launched - one of those precious moments of pure clarity, of totality, of recalling of voices long buried….

January 19, 2018

Never met but moments ago, now move my forces and spirits beyond their norm - and they especially note and delight - “look at our inner circle my love - they stand on guard, vigilant - and very comforting….”

He leans against her again - bold, yes, but seemingly perfectly right, “this whole episode is so bizarre, isn’t it? Some kind of explosion at the terminal, for sure, but look at the crazy reactions - except for us right here”

The two of them, so calm on the bench, they look back at their guardians, the handful who just naturally moved to this normally lovely rise as most others erupted in a kind of rage - they exchange unspoken notes of connection - something, or one, is guiding them, energizing them, emboldening them - silent is their carol - one of those precious moments of pure clarity…

January 18, 2018

The couple barely seemed to take note of the ugly taunts - children tantrums cloaked crazed adult forms…

Save, perhaps for an ever greater swelling of their already emerging display, which was provoking the raging triggered by the sparks and explosions…

Her obvious sense of calm blossomed into an unmistakable aura of pure serenity as she took his hand and stroked his arm - he simultaneously opened his arms, legs, puffed his chest and couldn’t restrain an overall emergence of pure strength and confidence as he allowed himself to lean right into her…

Together the purity of their haven and blinding and deafening of their delicate and silent power struck all around them as a avalanche of force and feeling at once primeval and eternal…

January 17, 2018

Seemingly surrounded by the mob gone mad, this grouping of hitherto strangers up upon the central rise finds themselves reacting in similar fashion across a number of aspects - first and foremost, they have found their way to this sacred spot in much the same pose - one of a natural complexity of mighty strength, bottomless grounding and vast capacity to face and embrace all of ugliness vented - as well as almost instance love of the elevated state of each other centrally gathered.

The two on the bench - a grouping within the group - they form the core of maelstrom, being the most prominent in their daring sharing of intimacy and apparent impervious to the vile taunts and slurs being hurled towards them from the nearby mob.

They have triggered a special recognition from the rest of the little grouping - a cross-section of natural leaders well experienced at standing tall against the tugs and pulls of extremes of behavior such this before them. From many walks themselves, simultaneously maintain a boldly confident calm in the midst of this fearful storm.

At the same time, each in their own disparate way who have instinctively moved to this most lovely spot, they turn their shared gift of insight upon each other in the most fleeting of glances, gracing one another with shared trust - they are fortunate to be able to brave such. Together their is shared fond affinity, especially with the two - and collectively they just know a true, higher purpose of opportunity, however fragile and fleeting, to be advanced the certain peril.

Poised, this new grouping accepts it all - a virtual flood of touches & feelings fill them - they weigh and face the totality of this crucial moment - which way and with whom to commit? So many sureties crash about them at once - by deepest instinct they embrace them all - an onslaught of souls and spirits embodied - they take it all in…

In this extreme of saturation of voices - of inner silence and right now, all around in a riot - in the sweet agony of uncertainty they reach the perspective of the unlimited - this lil fellowship of strangers, from all walks and realms, they share this gift, this grace - they together can brave to craft the fabric, ever so fragile and mighty, of higher purpose…

To be dashed at any moment, but to be seized upon this one - the surety of the same way, the certain disaster happening right now upon their stayed course - this only this new fellowship can truly see in its’ entirety…

This lil nexus, this lil nano bit of a step - this they know they can trust & believe - such is enough for this moment in this sphere within spheres of happenings - their sure convergence of all aspects - they are the critical point to shine upon the onslaught…

Uncertain, they raise up together - feeling surrounded, now pounded, somethings, someones are stinging them, so peaceful here, right here, together, in this vortex of crazies, and others staring, haunting, so many voices - a nightmare? but both of us are here, so fully awake - we know better, just smoke and sparks, mists and sparkles and other magical sprights are dancing - if they can only see themselves as we do - let’s show them - it only take a few to turn - it is this lil isle, this haven - this dark is full of spirits - we know better - and these ones with us do, too - they look at each other, comfort and calm, sighs and other other whispers in the swirl of souls - they feel their surety - it is not just okay - it is grand - it will just dissipate if they refuse to go along - hug, hold, smile, rejoice - blind them with just that - stun them with themselves fully on display - but we must move, reach deep and brave to share - put it all together, commit and trust in this purpose - now is our time - that is the remembrance - be true - that is the epiphany - the infinite gift of grace…

Here it is love - fragile, fleeting - the two there are fully entranced, yet still likely to return to their norm - but they have the key, they harbor the full range of skills, ultimately the most fierce and brave, possessing the infinite viewpoint…

Yes, indeed - and this small band that has found this spot with them - natural leaders, they have all the accomplished experience of getting things done, all the toughness - they can mix with the brutes and extract sound accomplishments - but they have instinctively moved to the most sacred higher ground just as the two - same primeval impulse - feel their hesitation - on edge between turning their practiced talents towards the mob all around and the the two further within - they sense the next level, they have benefited before - remind them…

We must help them to unlock the key - the model we eternally seek - blind them, shock them with the surety of the outcome - yes they can deliberate and balance, but then what - same old - that gives them pause - they sense the opportunity of these two…

True warriors of the elevated realm they are, each of them holding firm here against the onslaught - each with their own vital role to play…

Flood this lil sphere within it all with the sprights and vixens already filling the two - the others are touch, but not enough - they must trigger together - help them all to recall better times - they will listen and learn - and, we pray, act…

They must know that together it is worth it - to strike back with their own model - only they can create it - hold up strongly enough the sure promise and the madness with ebb…

Only a bit at first - only the very next level will hesitate within the mob - give them the display before the moment evaporates - the nexus, the power center, the elevated trust fellowship…

Such are epiphanies - nurture and sustain this one, faithfully breathe in the life force they now offer, stoke and support these embers before it dies out again…

January 08, 2018

Surely something strange is affecting them - us - not just in all of those infected with yet another madness - such is ever our role to deal with them, this reality - thus these notes are added to the ether right here in this void within the madness - thus these new unspoken thoughts fly between these other within this newly carved inner circle - they exchange looks, not ready to touch, not their way, but they feel virtual hugs - of each other at the edge of this special space in the midst of the swirl - yes, they confirm with each other - we are leaders, not like the fearful ones stoking that mob - but we are different, on instinct finding this higher ground, standing tall - yes, hugs, look at those two further within our center, our power center, real hugs, a real trance they inhabit - like us but more - we much protect - harbor, harness - yes, their opportunity here - more than just us have grounded ourselves here - many others, seen and unseen, that special gift we have, spiritual, embodied in forces, a force-field, ours all the time, but enhanced right here - a new level for us - fellows….

January 07, 2018

yet another comes into view - “exhilarating isn’t it - we are finally here, together, again”

“rarified air” who is talking? no sound at all - oh yes, this spot - been here - but who else is singing?

“hey there - joyous, terrifying, and oh so grand this place - but yes, who else? such a rare and visit to this, what, state, feeling - a host of voices singing now - but some new ones are here”

see my loves, these ones have reached us - we must move, reward - such a mix of extremes of extremes and lovelies of lovelies - but these two, centered among the center of this nexus - they are so close right now - we must join in, further their emergence - so ultimately fragile and tenuous - purity of infinite possibilities - our own trigger and theirs as one - opportunity and peril at extreme - our moment…

she leans in, raises up, feelings filling her - awarenesses, epiphany of epiphanies, must seize on the extreme of extreme - him, them…

he leans back, they raise together, into another realm they are, this is it, they look away from it all - realm within realms…

… of rocks and grounds and soaring and pure faith - yes, this is our purpose - epiphany and on and on we go from right here…

trembling, terror, frozen and torn open - “oh my love, so sorry” “so empty, must give up” “but no, better, back into it, just me, but no, you, too, and these others in close - all of these others, Ghosts, Visions, here go, unbound, from right here, our life, our love, our Epiphany…”

He blinked wide eyed - exhilarating- his full mix of alert and serene - extra strange this time - all those awful things had been said earlier, consuming him as he came her this eve, and her look as they parted - so nasty, how can she do these things - but there are other things, so many feelings and thoughts, his usual torment, but other notes, different this night, this unusual comfort - so supremely nice, a warm embrace, but yes also, a blast of cold, both of air and other spirits - and this quiet - there were others all around, but then a space, a buffer, and her, a new her, a new norm already…

She stared straight - stars - how beautiful- now imprints of other lovelies, sparkles, fireworks, still enchanted- visited by, what, persistent carriers of notes, of messages - so many as normal in the deep of night - such great import - oh god yes - the horrible screams, the harsh taunts and unbelievable words of harm - just like her own - yes, she fled them but more erupted even here, her favorite place - now what, so calm, yet not, yet these others, oh yes, him, his touch, ok to just be…

The host encroached, yet paused upon the very edge, enraged all, but those in the lead felt a mix of new sensations, each w their own reaction, a momentary break in momentum, in impulse, hence a new wave of - what - uncertainty, with varying reaction to that, and a with an unreal glimpse of momentary calm as the frightened yet still and quiet ones stood strong as they rushed in, their frenzy given further shock by a vision of pure beauty- lovelies on full display...